Sr. Technical Program Manager

Rivian•Tustin, CA

About The Position

As a Technical Program Manager (TPM) for Battery Cells and Packs within Rivian’s ESS (Energy Storage Systems) organization, you will serve as a technical driver and cross-functional orchestrator. This role bridges the gap between cell electrochemical development and high- voltage pack system integration. In this role, you will drive the high-voltage battery pack program through the Development Process. You will dive deep into technical details—including mechanical, thermal, electrical, software, and safety systems—to manage tradeoffs, enforce design rigor, and drive the program from initial concept to serial production, coordinating cross-functional engineering teams and ensuring adherence to engineering quality standards like DFMEA, DVP&R, and functional safety. Along with the pack, you manage cell engineering budgets, equipment, validation timelines, and supplier relationships, ensuring critical milestones are met

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (or international equivalent) in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technology field.
3+ years of industry experience in a product development environment, with a proven track record of leading hardware or high-voltage battery pack programs through full lifecycle development.
Automotive experience is highly preferred; consumer device experience is acceptable.
Proficiency in program management and tracking tools: Jira, Confluence, Jama/Flow, Smartsheet, and MS Project.
Advanced expertise in PLM and design software: ENOVIA and 3DEXPERIENCE (CATIA V6).
Deep knowledge of quality and engineering frameworks: DFMEA, DVP&R, APQP/PPAP, ISO 26262 (Functional Safety), and 8D Problem Solving.
Experience coordinating supplier tooling, part quality maturation, and manufacturing ramp-up.
Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to cross-functional stakeholders.
Strong quantitative and analytical skills for data-driven decision-making.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with a high degree of urgency and personal ownership.
Passion for electric vehicles and sustainable energy solutions.

Nice To Haves

Formal training in program management (PMP, APQP, etc.) or problem-solving methodologies (Six Sigma, 5-Why, 8D) is a plus.

Responsibilities

Own the high-voltage battery pack and cell program through the development process, managing program gates across all phases—from Architecture & Concept Feasibility to Serial Production and Launch.
Develop and integrate Cell and Pack engineering timelines into the overall vehicle program, ensuring all development milestones, design releases, prototype builds (Mule, Pre-Production, Pilot), and testing checkpoints are met.
Define battery checkpoint deliverables in detail and plan resources to achieve milestone targets.
Ensure Cell Programs Deliver to Requirements
Collaborate with Rivian Vehicle Program, ESS Systems, and other stakeholders to define formal cell requirements
Ensure requirements are communicated/flowed down to internal Cell engineering or external vendor
Manage iterations of cell chemistry, form factor and electrochemical performance qualification, assessing trade-offs against program requirements
Early lead in advanced development. Work with the design team to identify key technologies to pursue and present opportunities and risks to leadership. Own the technology roadmap.
Support overall pack/module layout design in collaboration with cross-functional teams (Mechanical, Thermal, Electrical, Systems, Manufacturing, Service, Cell).
Coordinate Design and Release Engineers (DREs) to ensure production release plans are executed; manage cost/weight/part/design data releases into the formal system to prevent late releases.
Ensure all engineering documentation is coordinated to milestones, including Requirements, DFMEAs, DVP&R, and Functional Safety.
Issue tracking and corrective action implementations using JIRA, Confluence, Enovia and other applicable tools
Collaborate with Inventory Control and Launch to make sure the correct parts are ready for the build.
Orchestrate alignment between Engineering (Cell, ESS, BMS, T&V, Design), Supply Chain, Quality, Manufacturing Engineering, Vehicle Integration, and Finance.
Develop and manage relationships with cell/pack suppliers; establish regular Product Development Team (PDT) meetings to review progress and ensure vendors remain on track.
Manage open issues lists (OIL) with vendors and collaborate with Inventory Control and Launch to ensure part readiness for all build phases.
Support supplier industrialization through factory line audits and tracking key manufacturing quality and supply capabilities.
Define and track program KPIs: BOM cost, investment, mass/weight, volumetric energy density, and manufacturability targets.
Manage engineering budgets, equipment, facility usage, and test resources.
Review resource allocation with stakeholders to secure necessary support and ensure the team is properly equipped.
Lead the change control process to review, approve, and document design changes.
Identify risks early (NUDDs) and maintain comprehensive open-issues lists; implement corrective actions (e.g., 8D, 5-Why) and escalate critical paths to leadership.
Host daily standup meetings to resolve tactical issues, provide clear agendas, and ensure immediate impact mitigation.